The Journey Home ... Part One

Home is more than where I live ... it's where my family is, and sadly, farther away than should be. My sister Paula's house is that hub of home. It's the place where she makes the glue that holds us all together and I loved the time that we were all able to spend together!

Mom and Dad are in a skilled nursing unit, sharing the same room and enjoying their status of being the cutest ( and only) married couple in residence The staff genuinely loves them and sis and I are thankful everyday that they can still be together while receiving all the special care they need . Just seeing them, I know that they've adjusted well and there's no doubt that Dad not being able to walk and bouts with infection would have taken his life. It's been so hard for him to relinquish his "get up and go" way of life

Dad looks great! We'd just enjoyed watching the football game and being looked in on by the staff. All the noise we made... they thought it was my folks having a tiff, which they're known for on occasion... LOL

and mom after playing around with ribbons from a package she'd opened... I'm one of the luckiest people on earth to still have and enjoy parents like these two !

sis Paula with my nephew Jay

my great nephew Bailey baiting a hook

(my brother inlaw was never still enough for a photo)

The memory storehouse is full of lots of laughter and love shared this past week!

Heading Down the Road

Just popped in to say I'm heading south and should be back in 10 days or so. I may be able to get online for a bit while gone and hoping to have lots of pics to show and a story or 2 of my adventure upon return... I'm traveling by bus (first time since I was about 15) and am packing light. A few magazines, 1 good book and 2 small projects. Have a great week all!

PS... I thought I would of had this done, but not, so this is where the "Balance" block leaves off for now, don't ask me what I've been doing besides... obviously not this

Jane

31 Days Hath October

More plans than usual this month are spurring me on to get things going while I can. I want to remember these colors for the leafless autumn days ahead so I pieced and dissected a CQ block in a what iffing kind of way...colors for the sun to infuse through the bare branches. We are at peak right now. Lots of winter preparations around the house and a trip to Detroit are in the works so I'm sure this month will fly by.

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I had posted photos of a block I also pieced for the Octobers TIF.. Looking at what I'd made here made me ill so I deleted it. I'll have to rethink it and try again. It was hideous, the colors putrid and not a good portrayal at all of what I feel about my workspace.. a great concept for this month too BTW, Thanks Sharon. Here are my spaces... sorry if you've seen any of these pics before...

The main "station" in the loft bedroom, where machine sewing, cutting and prep get done. Storage resides here as well in a closet, a cedar chest and under bed. (There's also a 1/2 bath up here so I could stay indefinately LOL)

The bar in the kitchen is another great place to spread out (we have no kitchen table, for good or bad)

but the best space to hand stitch is in the living room , if you can find a spot before a dog does. My space is pretty personal to me and more deserving of something different for this months project than the pathetic CQ block aforementioned. So much for trying to force something...

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I 'd found this bag at Vinnies for $1... it has pockets for photos in the side.I'd used it in the boat this summer and liked how it kept contents dry... so I timtexed some batiks for the see through insets and have a real sturdy waterproof tote now. I'll be using this on my trip.

I also wanted to share these photos I took last weekend... the first is on the way to the marina. This spot is less than a mile from Superior and one of the prettiest places for its river of ferns and jungle-ish feel.

and this would be the last fall bouquet... frost advisory for this Thursday night.

next post will have Augs TIF block finished, ... am adding beads and snagables now.

3's a Charm with these Halloween Finds

Of course I couldn't stay off the internet .. was looking into spider webs and other Halloweenish / Fall notions... let me share some of my wanderings of the past hour and save you some time...

Crazy Patch Pumpkin Pattern - Fraser Valley Quilters Guild - Lots of renditions for this, too cute

Creepy Buttons - The Button Drawer - baubles

Halloween Banners - Sparkle Jars - Do look around Gayles posts for other Halloween eye candy

Looking for vintage Hallowed Fabric? - Warm Biscuit - very stashable

Wool Felted Pumpkin - CJ Stitching and Blooms - Judys great tutorial

Beaded Spider Tutorial - Jewelry Making About - more possibilities

Embroidered Beetles Anyone ? - Stumpwork, Goldwork, Surface Embroidery - Jane Nicholas

Quikie Visual Ideas to Run With - Love to Sew - "chach"

Another Patchwork Pumpkin - The Calico Cat - Is this not adorable ? (scroll down some in link)

I think I have my fix for the week and I hope I've left enough of me to not feel bad for my absence... heres to the other side of a better week than last..

PS Just Checked into Judes What If blog... looks like "Crazy Left Overs" is feeling autumn too. I could just wrap myself up in Judes cloths and hibernate.

Airing Dirty laundry...

and unfurling all my UFB's (un-finished blocks)

3 deep in spots
cotton scraps thumbing their noses at me ( just tips of the iceberg idea)
and my batiks scaring the crap out of me while waiting and begging to be cut up in this lifetime and take..
on the look of a long lost cousin before it

Now we're all caught up with what I've been (or not been) doin'. Scary 'aint it ???
BOOOOOOOO!!!!